SEASIDE SUMMER IN TIMARU
It’s hard to beat a seaside summer holiday; that feeling of the sun on your face, sand between your toes, running from the waves or jumping straight in. Long hot days spent at the beach, carnival rides, picnics, ice creams, sandcastles, and cool coastal walks. In the little seaside city of Timaru, you can cross the road from the beach to wine, dine, and shop. Then head back to the beach at dusk to watch the little penguins return from a day’s fishing.
DASHING ROCKS WALK
One favourite walk among locals starts and finishes at Caroline Bay. Experience the beauty of Timaru’s coastline, enjoying panoramic views over Caroline Bay, wandering over ancient lava flows, and examining the rocky cliffs that proved treacherous to early shipping. Start with brunch, or finish with sunset drinks at the fabulous row of eateries at the Bay Hill.
TIMARU TRAILS
Download the free Timaru Trails App while you’re there. There are cool self-guided tours of street art, Caroline Bay, and the stories behind some of the earliest burials at the Timaru Cemetery. You can also use the app to navigate coastal walks and Centennial Park, Timaru’s inner-city biking and walking track reserve. Bring your bike or hire one while you’re there.
PENGUINS AND DOLPHINS
There is a resident rookery of kororā/little penguins that nest at the southern end of Caroline Bay over the summer. You can watch them noisily come ashore at dusk after a day’s fishing for free. Also calling the area home is a pod of Hector’s dolphins that you can spot in and around Caroline Bay if you time it right.
SEASIDE FESTIVAL
Celebrate all things good about seaside summers with Timaru’s new Seaside Festival. Planning is underway for a series of fun events to be held over a two-week period in early February. Think incredible sandcastles, amazing kites, merpeople gathering, and heaps more. Stay tuned as more information is announced for the family friendly Seaside Festival.
ROAD TRIPS
There are plenty of cool places to take a day trip to, from your base in Timaru. Check out Temuka’s vintage stores, and carry on to Geraldine for outstanding food, boutique shops, and fabulous art galleries. Head to Pleasant Point, check out the vintage railway and grab a real fruit ice cream. Plus, all the adventure of the legendary Mackenzie is an easy excursion too.
DAY AT THE BAY
It’s easy to spend a day at Caroline Bay. If you’ve had enough of sand and saltwater, there’s a playground, a skatepark, a bike skills park, disc golf, mini-golf, a beach volleyball court, and a rose garden of National Significance. Let’s not forget The Caroline Bay Carnival! It runs from Boxing Day until 9 January with fairground rides and live entertainment every day.